The NSW Northern Rivers may be a hot-spot for an horrific and rare birth defect which has babies born with their intestinal contents freely protruding through the abdominal wall…

Bangalow-based National Toxics Network co-ordinator Jo Immig said there were several studies which had found a link between the incidence of gastroschisis and pesticides and it warranted further investigations. “Health authorities have a duty of care to investigate any regional cluster of the birth defect gastroschisis, as well as its causes,” Ms Immig said.